FROM THIS EPISODE

The five LA County Supervisors almost never face serious challenges at election time, and they're famous for ignoring the public at their Tuesday meetings, while they spend time on dog adoptions, special awards and adjournment resolutions. When new Board Chair Zev Yaroslavsky proposed to reduce the time for public comment, he lit a firestorm among regulars who insist they have a right to address their elected officials. Are Board meetings dominated by "gadflies" who waste precious time? Is the Board conducting real public business behind closed doors? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the US and Iran: diplomacy or confrontation?

Last month, it was Zev Yaroslavsky's turn to chair the meetings of LA County's Board of Supervisors. He set off a firestorm by proposing to reduce the available time set aside for public comment. Reaction was fierce. But Board members complain that so-called "gadflies" often dominate meetings. What about people who want to bring up real issues?

The US has categorically denied any role in yesterday's assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist or the recent deadly attack on an Iranian missile facility. But two American aircraft carrier battle groups are near Iranian shores with a third on the way, and the US is imposing new sanctions that could do real damage to Iran's oil economy. Is regime change of the current leaders of Iran's Islamic Republic America's real goal? Could that policy backfire, making Iran more determined than ever to build nuclear weapons? Will tough talk in the presidential campaign convince them there's no other choice?